Improvement in conveyance of liquids



sneeuwen r si' tri-seite 'zeer C rTnn STATES GARNET W. REMSEN, OFBROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONVEYNCE OF LIQUIDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 190,902, dated May 15,1877 application filed March 7, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARNET W. REMSEN, of Brooklyn, Kings county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and' useful Improvements inthe Conveyance of Liquids, of which the following is a description:

These improvements are admirably adapted to pipe-lines through whichpetroleum is conveyed from place to place, as they provide for conveyingit great distances without tanking or retanking, and consequentlywithout rendering it liable to evaporation from exposure to theatmosphere, or the great danger of loss incidentto conliagration fromlightning. These improvements consist in eecting the conveyance ofliquid through the pipes or conduits by imparting to it at intervalsadditional impulse in its transit; also, in insuring a continuous flow-by compensating for irregularities therein; also, in establishingopposing currents, whereby the air and gases accompany ing the liquid inits transit are concentrated or compacted so that the liquid will morenearly, if not completely, fill the pipe or conduit, and enable themotor or motors employed to impel it to act effectively, therebyenabling a larger volume of liquid to be impelled through a smaller pipethan is used in other processes of conveying liquids, and at a greaterspeed 5 also, in combinations of parts for use in the conveyance ofliquid, whereby great economy and efficiency are obtained, and provisionis afforded for yielding under excessive pressures.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one mechanical arrangement of partsembodying my improvements.

Figure 1 is a plan thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe same, andFig. 3 is a detail view of a cushion or compensating pulsometer embodiedtherein.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in al1 thefigures.

A A designate the main line of pipe or conduit for the conveyance otliquid, and into which the liquid may be conducted from a tank or tankswhere it is collected, or from any other suitable source. The partswhich I shall now describe may be combined with the main line near thesource of the liquid, for impelling it along the same, and atintersteam-pump, S, which is shown as the motor for impelling theliquid, and through which the liquid is intended to pass in order toderive its impulse. D is a branch pipe or con-v duit, provided withcocks E and E', and shown as provided with a section, O, of largediameter, and extending from the main line, and preferably, for reasonshereafter to be described, from opposite to the branch pipe or conduitB. This branch pipe or conduit D constitutes a switch and relay, havingseveral important functions. Extending from opposite the supply end A ofthe main line isa pipe or conduit, F, provided with cocks G and H,between which, in a cylinder or section, l, is a device, J K, forming anelastic cushion, adapt-ed to yield and relieve the main pipe or conduitwhen the liquid therein acquires so great a pressure that it mightoccasion the bursting thereof, were no relief provided for. This deviceJ K also serves as a compensating pulsometer, and, as represented,consists of two cylinders, which are free to move within the cylinder orpipe section I, iit one within the other, may be forced apart by aspring, L, or equivalent force, and are limited in their movement awayfrom one another bya rod, M, preferably having an adjustable connectionwith one of the two parts, which may consist of a nut or nuts, N,capable of being shifted along the screw-threaded portion of the rod M,to afford a greater or cause a less movement of the parts, or toregulate the compression of the spring or its equivalent, and itspotency. This device J K and cylinder I may be reversed when worn orinjured at one end.

The cocks O, E, and G, and a cock, W. on the delivery end of the mainline being open, and the cocks E' and H being closed, liquid passingalong the supply end A of the main line is apt to act directly on thedevice J K, owing to its position, whereupon the component parts of thisdevice are compressed together to an extent due to the impact of theliquid against it. If the flow of the liquid is constant and itspressure uniformi the parts of the device J K remain in this condition;but, if, on the contrary, its flow is irregular and its pressure varies,owing to a wave-like motion, due to any cause, such as the intermittentaction of a pump, the parts of the said device, upon every reduction ofpressure, are forced apart, and at such times impel the liquid backward,concentrate, and compact any air or gases that may accompany it, so thatthe liquid more nearly, if not completely, lls the pipe, wherefore thesaid device forms a pulsometer, compensating` for irregularitities inthe ow.

It is obvious that the parts of this device AJ K will be compressed soas to yield sufciently to afford immediate relief to the main line ofthe pipe or conduit upon any sudden increase in the pressure of theliquid. The liquid being turned back by the device J K is apt to t-urninto the branch pipe or conduit- B leading` to the steam-pump S or intothe switch and relay D. If it enters the pipe or conduit B between thestrokes of the pump any air or gas which may have previously accompaniedit is compressed or compacted by the pulsations due to the Weight of thecolumn of liquid in the upright portion P, and is additionallycompressed and compacted. If, on the contrary, it enters the switch andrelay D the liquid with air and gases therein forming an elastic cushionacts upon it at every diminution of pressure, pulsates, compresses andcompacts the air and gases accompanying the liquid additionally.Therefore, air and gases which may have accompanied the liquid thus farare caused to escape at the point of least resistance, and the liquid isenabled to enter the steam-pump S in a regular, or nearly regular,stream, more nearly, if not completely, lling the pipe, wherefore thepump acts upon it much more effectively, and a larger volume of liquidmay be forced through a smaller pipe than is ordinarily used inpipe-lines, and may be impelled therein at a greater speed. This is ofthe utmost importance, as the quantity of liquid delivered at theterminus of the main line is enormously increased. Hitherto, inpipe-lines for liquids, the intermittent action of the pumps employed toimpel the liquids has been always liable to create a wavelike flow ofthe liquid, which prevents the pipe from being properly filled. Myimprovements just described are designed to obviate this. The largesection O of the switch and relay D is employed to accommodate a volumeof liquid air and gases sufficiently great to make it serve as anelastic cushion. The same result might be attained by increasing thelength of the switch and relay, and there are several reasons whichwould make this a very desirable modiiication.

To additionally insure the compacting or expulsion of air and gasesaccompanying the liquid before its entrance into the pump I prefer tocombine with the upright portion P of the pipe B a downwardly-extendingportion, Q, of such length that the two portions P Q will form asiphonand cause the downward flow of the liquid between the strokes of thepump. To accomplish this the pump will need to be arranged lower thanthe main line A Af. In some instances this feature will be renderedunnecessary by the natural formation of the land near the junction ofthe main line with the pump. I also prefer, at thejunction of the branchpipe B with the suctionpipe R of the pump S, to arrange a well, T, intowhich, between the strokes of the pump, liquid will fall, so that atevery stroke of the pump it will have two sources for supplyone from thebranch pipe, another from the Well.

In order to provide for working the valve of the liquid-cylinder of thepump, in case the ordinary means for working the same shall proveineffectual, I preferably conduct steam through a suitable pipe, U,under control of a cock, a, where it may operate upon the valve to freeit. This pipe may conduct the steam into the liquid-supply pipe of thepump, and then if the cock O is closed, so that the liquid cannot beforced back, it may be forced against the valve to free it. An advantageis gained by connecting a steam-pipe to the supply-pipe, as it serves asa heater, Which, in pumping petroleum, has a tendency to so liquefy thisarticle as to enable it to pass through the pump more freely.

V designates the delivery-pipe of the pump. It is preferably arranged atan incline, so that the liquid impelled by the pump will becompiloted-t'. e., freed from the wave-like iiow caused by theintermittent action of the pump during its ascent before reaching thedelivery end A of the main line. This pipe is provided with a cock, X,which, of course, has to be opened during the operation of the pump.

When these combinations of parts, or the most important of them, areused to impart additional impulse to liquid previously impelled byanother pump, it may happen that, owing to the rst pump being workedfaster than the second, it will supply the liquid faster than required.In this case the cock E is opened partially or wholly, and the surplusliquid flows through it and into the delivery end A' of the main line.Thus, Where a number of pumps are used, switches and relays, of thecharacter of the one herein described, will aiford provison forobtaining the maximum amount of work from each, and enable each toassist the others.

When, owing to any accident which may have befallen the pump, or becauseit is desirable to leave it, its operation is desired to be suspended,the cock C controlling its suction-pipe, and the cock X controlling itsdelivery-pipe, are closed, and the cock E' controlling communicatingbetween the switch and relay D and the delivery end A of the main lineis opened, whereupon the liquid may flow on around the switch and relay,and through the main line, under the impulse which it may havepreviously acquired.

The cock H is intended to be opened in case of accident. When open, theliquid, acting on the device J K back wardly, may cushion upon it, andbe ai'orded such relief as to save`(in the reverse direction to thatformerly referred to) the pipe from injury. The device J K formstherefore an adjustable, reversible, double-acting elastic cushion andcompensating pulsometer.

To afford additional security against the bursting` of the main line orpipe, 1 prefer to combine with it a relief device, which may consist ofan upright pipe, Y, provided with a valve capable of opening underexcessive pressure, to allow of the escape through an outlet, b, of someof the liquid. This valve may with advantage be so constructed, forinstance, by combining with it a spring and a nut, o, and a screw-threadon the valve-spindle d, as to provide for regulating the pressure underwhich it Will open. Its spindle may, with advantage, be so combined withan audible alarm,'a steam-Whistle, or other device, that it will givewarning of the accumulation of pressure, and it may be so regulated asto give warning whenever the pressure becomes so great as to make itdesirable to allow some liquid to iiow through the switch and relay.

, This relief device may be opened at any time to ascertain Whether theliquid is flowing under the impulse derived from a previous motor.

By my invention I obviate the necessity for tanking and retanking liquidin transportation, which, in the case of petroleum, occasions seriouslosses through evaporation, and oftentimes, through conflagrations,ofimmense quantities from a stroke of lightning, or other accident. Iprovide for conveying` economically greater quantities at greater speed;and I provide for relieving the apparatus employed from danger ofbursting.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is`

l. The method of conveying liquids along pipes or conduits bysuccessively imparting to it at intervals additional impulse withouttanking and retanking, or exposure to the atmosphere. y

2. The method, in the conveyance of liquids through pipes or conduits,of causing it to fill the said pipes or conduits by establishingopposing currents therein at intervals in its transit.

3. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, of a series of motors, for successively imparting fresh impulsethereto at intervals, without exposing it to the atmosphere orintroducing additional liquid into the said pipe or conduit.

4. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, of a series of pumps, communicating therewith at intervals,VV

to successively take in the liquid, and forceV it out again under freshimpulse Without exposure to the atmosphere, tan kin g or retanking it,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, and a pump for imparting impulse to liquid therein, of a deviceforming spring-cushion for receiving the impact of the flowing liquid,yielding to obviate the undue straining of the pipe or conduit, andreacting on the liquid previous to its entrance into the pump,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance of liquidsand a pump or motor for imparting impulse to liquid therein, of anadjustable spring-cushion, adapted to be adjusted and set to yield onlyat a certain pressure.

7. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, of a pump or motor for imparting impulse to liquid therein, anda spring-compensator receiving the impact of the liquid in its flow andcorrecting irregularities therein.

8. The combination, with a pipe or conduit for the conveyance of liquid,and a pump or motor for imparting impulse to liquid therein, of aspring-compensator, receiving the impact ofthe liquid in its flow, andcapable of adjustment so as to correct irregularities however slight orgreat.

9. The combination, With a pipe or conduit for the conveyance of liquid,and a pump or motor for giving impulse to liquid therein, of areversible compensator for correcting irregularities in the flow.

l0. The combination, with a pipe or conduit forthe conveyance ofliquids, and a pump or motor for imparting impulse to liquid therein, ofa double-acting pulsometer for correcting irregularities in the flow ofthe liquid.

l1. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, and a series of pumps or motors for successively impartingfresh impulse thereto, of switches or relays arranged to connect thesections of the pipe line or conduit intercepted by the pumps or motors,substantially as described, Whereby any one pump or motor may be stoppedat pleasure Without necessarily stopping the transit of the liquid, andthe greatest amount of work may be obtained from each pump or motor. l

l2. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, and a switch and relay, of means, substantially as described,capable of being manipulated for establishing or severing communicationbetween the same and the main line or conduit,

to impart the action of the pump or motor to the liquid, or remove ittherefrom.

13. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquid, of a switch and relay and means, substantially as described, forenabling the same to serve as an elastic cushion for yielding, torelieve the 4 v merece mainline, whereby it can contain a larger -volumeof liquid and accompanying air and gases, and the latter, through theirelasticity, are enabled to form an elastic cushion and compensator. y

14. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ot'liquids, of a switch and relay embodying .a section or portion of alarger diametrical capacity than the main line or conduit.

15. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquid, of a switch and relay, and means, substantially as described,for providing for closing the latter at a considerable distance from theoutlet, whereby air and gases may be made to serve as a compensator forcorrecting irregularities in the flow of the liquid through the mainline.

16. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquids, of an upright or elevated section leading from a regulatingpulsometer to the motor employed, to give impulse to liquid in said pipeline or conduit.

17. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquid, of a siphon leading from the main line to a pump or motor forgiving impulse to liquid in said main line o r conduit.

18. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquid, of a well between the same and a pump or other motor for givingimpulse to liquid therein, whereby greater continuity and uniformity inthe transit of the liquid is insured.

19. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit for the conveyance ofliquid, of a combined siphon and well between the pipe line or conduit,and the pump or motor for giving impulse to liquid therein, wherebygreat continuity and uniformity, with increased velocity in the transitof the liquid, is insured.

20. The combination, with a pump for effecting the transit of liquids,of a siphon leading to the inlet of said pump.

21. The combination, with a pump or motor for eectin g the transit ofliquids and an inlet thereto, of a well for equalizing and renderinguniform the supply to the pump or motor.

22. The combination, with a pump or motor for effecting the transit ofliquids, of a combined siphon and well for equalizing and renderinguniform the supply to the pump or inotor.

23. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit, and a pump or motorfor giving impulse to liquid therein, of means, substantiat ly asdescribed, for yielding from, and reacting upon, the liquid in oppositedirections, whereby all irregularities in the transit of the liquid .arecorrected and the same rendered uniform and continuous.

24. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit, of a compensator, acompensating switch and relay, and a siphon establishing communicationbetween the main line or c0nduit and a pump or motor for giving impulseto liquid therein.

25. The combination, with a pipe line or conduit, and a pump or motorfor giving impulse to liquid therein, of an elevated orupwardly-inclined outlet section, forming a weli for assisting inmaintaining a regular and uniform transit of the liquid.

26. The combination, with the valvechest of a pumping-cylinder, of aconduit for steam or other motive agent thereto, whereby provision isafforded for moving the valve in case the ordinary means for working thesame shall prove ineffectual.

27. The combination, with the valve-chest of a pumping-cylinder andinlet thereto, of a conduit for the steam or other motive agent, wherebyprovision is afforded for moving the valve through the medium of theliquid when the ordinary means, substantially as described, for' workingit may be ineffectual.

28. The combination, with the inlet of a pump or other motor for oils,of means for transmitting from the steam supply-pipe of the motor to theinlet-pipe sufficient heat to liquefy the -oils before their entranceinto the pump, substantially as set forth.

GARNET W. REMSEN.

Witnesses:

CHANDLER HALL, THOMAS E. BIRCH.

'D tva".

